Dear all, In June 2014 Martin asked for volunteers to scan through the definition of CIDOC CRM and look for so called strong shortcuts. A strong shortcut is defined as a shortcut from which we can imply the existence of the node(s) in the full path.
This is not a formal issue but I send the result of my small exercise to the list for discussion and comment. The "strongness", that is, the implied existence of intermediate nodes depends in some cases on a given interpretation of the model. Not strong is called weak in the list below. Kind regards, Christian-Emil ************************************************************ Introduction In this exercise I searched the scopenotes in the CRM 6.0 definition for the string 'shortcut'. In several cases the word was used in the definition of properties that can be a part of the expansion of a short cut. For example, the "P2 Has Type" property is not defined as a short cut, but is referred to from other scopenotes as a shortcut. ******************************************************* GROUPS OF SHORTCUTS ******************************************************* GROUP 1, observations/statements The three shortcuts have long paths through sub classes of E7 Activity. Whether the existence of such an intermediate node is implied by the existence of (an instance of) the shortcut depends on the actual use of the model and the users ontological commitment. If the type of a person (gender for example) is a permanent trait that need not to be assigned explicitly then there will be no full path, similar for condition state, dimension and identifier. If ontological commitment implies that the assignment of types, condition state, dimension and identifier always are results of (human) observation and actions like deduction, the shortcuts may be considered strong. P2 has type (is type of) Domain: E1 CRM Entity Range: E55 Type Shortcut through E17 type assignment. P43 has dimension (is dimension of) Domain: E70 Thing Range: E54 Dimension Shortcut through: E16 Measurement P48 has preferred identifier (is preferred identifier of) Domain: E1 CRM Entity Range: E42 Identifier Shortcut through: E15 Identifier Assignment P44 has condition (is condition of) Domain: E18 Physical Thing Range: E3 Condition State Shortcut through: E14 Condition Assessment ********************************************************* GROUP 2 These are shortcuts with a long path through activities that change state in a wide sense (ownership, custody, place, membership). ********** A For an instance of E10 Transfer of Custody the from and to (E39 Actor) are optional, cardinality constraints (0,1:0,1) [which in fact seems a little strange. What is the purpose of documenting a change of custody when the to and from (E39 Actors) are undefined] . In the case of P49 and P50 one knows the receiver. The existence of the intermediate node is implied. It is not unique. The properties P49 and P50 are strong shortcuts. P49 has former or current keeper (is former or current keeper of) Domain: E18 Physical Thing Range: E39 Actor Shortcut through: E10 Transfer of Custody P50 has current keeper (is current keeper of) Domain: E18 Physical Thing Range: E39 Actor Shortcut through: E10 Transfer of Custody ********** B For an instance of E8 Acquisition the from and to (E39 Actor) are optional, cardinality constraints (0,1:0,1) [which in fact seems a little strange. What is the purpose of documenting a change of ownership when the to and from (E39 Actors) are undefined. In the case of P51 and P52 one knows the receiver. The existence of the intermediate node is implied. It need not to be unique. The properties P53 and P55 are strong shortcuts. P51 has former or current owner (is former or current owner of) Domain: E18 Physical Thing Range: E39 Actor Shortcut through: E8 Acquisition P52 has current owner (is current owner of) Domain: E18 Physical Thing Range: E39 Actor Shortcut through: E8 Acquisition ********** C For an instance of E9 Move the from and to (P27 moved from, P26 moved to E53 Place) are necessary with the cardinality constraints (1,n:0,n). The existence of the intermediate node cannot be implied since the Physical Thing may have been at the same place since it come into existence . The properties P53 and P55 are weak shortcuts. P53 has former or current location (is former or current location of) Domain: E18 Physical Thing Range: E53 Place Shortcut through: E9 Move P55 has current location (currently holds) Domain: E19 Physical Object Range: E53 Place Shortcut through: E9 Move *********** D A group is not created with members. Therefore there must be at least one event E85 Joining. The P107 shortcut is strong. P107 has current or former member (is current or former member of) Domain: E74 Group Range: E39 Actor Shortcut through: E85 Joining ******************************************************** GROUP 3 The full path for the shortcut below is: E19 Physical Object through P59 has section (is located on or within), E53 Place, P53 has former or current location (is former or current location of) to E26 Physical Feature. The instance of E26 Physical Feature must have a location (place) which is located on the instance of E19 Physical Object. Therefore the shortcut implies the existence of the intermediate node (E53) Place. P56 is a strong shortcut. P56 bears feature (is found on) Domain: E19 Physical Object Range: E26 Physical Feature Shortcut through: E53 Place ******************************************************* GROUP 4 It is possible to state that a place is located on or within a physical object without an explicit E46 Section Definition (E41 Appellation). P59 is a weak shortcut. P59 has section (is located on or within) Domain: E18 Physical Thing Range: E53 Place Shortcut through: E46 Section Definition ******************************************************** GROUP 5 The definition of depict in OED: "To draw, figure, or represent in colours; to paint; also, in wider sense, to portray, delineate, figure anyhow." It depends on the ontological commitment which could be more explicitly stated in the scope note of P62 depict, something like: In CIDOC-CRM the existence of an information object/ E36 Visual Item representing the depiction is assumed/implied. In this case the existence of at least one intermediate node is implied. The intermediate node is not unique. P62 is strong under the given ontological commitment. The scopenote should be made more specific about this. P62 depicts (is depicted by) Domain: E24 Physical Man-Made Thing Range: E1 CRM Entity Shortcut through: E36 Visual Item ******************************************************** GROUP 6 The name of the P105 is somewhat misleading. It states _a_ right is held by (has _a_ right). This right must exists and the existence of an intermediate node is implied. The P105 is a strong shortcut. P105 right held by (has right on) Domain: E72 Legal Object Range: E39 Actor Shortcut through: E30 Right ******************************************************** GROUP 7 This property may be a shortcut for two different paths (mother father) through the birth event. This is not the case for non-biological parenthood. Thus it is not strong. P152 is a weak shortcut. P152 has parent (is parent of) Domain: E21 Person Range: E21 Person
